Adjustable trace-lock.



N0. 657,022. Patented Aug. 28, 1900 F. W. CRAFTS.

ADJUSTABLE TRACE LOCK.

' (Application filed Mar. 9, 1899.; No Model.)

Witnesses:

flea W Cree/ills fito-rn P3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRED IV. CRAFTS, OF DEVILS LAKE, NORTH DAKOTA.

ADJUSTABLE TRACE-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 657,022, dated August 28, 1900. Application filed March 9, 1899. Serial No. 708,313. (No model.)

To wZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRED W. CRAFTS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Devils Lake, in the county of Ramsey and State of North Dakota, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Adjustable Trace-Locks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in adjustable trace locks, and it relates more particularly to a device which can be fastened to whiffletrees, so as to lock the trace in place,

and which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

With whitlletrees as now generally used much annoyance and danger is caused by the trace becoming detached. In the use of my improved device this trouble is overcome by locking the tug in place on the whifiletree in a manner which secures protection from its becoming detached In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved device shown fastened in place on the whifiletree. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a trace locked upon the whiffletree in position for use, and Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of my improved device shown in position for looking a modified form of trace to the whiffletree.

In the drawings let A represent my improved trace-lock, composed of thin steel or other suitable material, consisting of a split collar B, having a curved spring-clamp arm 0 formed thereon, which extends substantially in a lateral direction therefrom. The end of the arm is formed with a clip, which is adapted to engage the trace when the device is in use. The collar is provided with shoulders E, through which the screw F is adapted to pass.

In the use of my improved trace-lock the collar is fastened to the whiflletree G by means of the screw F and nut H and is positioned so that the clamp-arm will extend through the loop-hole I in the trace J and the clip loosely engage the tug laterally. In fastening the trace to the whiffietree the loophole I is slipped over the clip and clamp-arm of the lock and then'passed over the hook ofthe whiffietree. It is to be observed the tension of the spring-clamp arm causes the trace to be drawn tightly intoengagement with the hook. The clip prevents the tug from becoming detached against any backlash or side thrust of the trace. In the alternate construsion (shown in Fig. 3) the eye L is similarly passed over the clamp and hook when attaching it to the whittletree.

The lock may be of various constructions, equivalents being substituted for minor portions of the device herein indicated without departing from the principles applied by me in my invention. The lock may be fastened to the whittletree in other ways than to be adjustable.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to protect by Letters Patent, is-

A trace-lock, consisting of a spring-clamp having a clip upon. its end and formed with the split collar B, for engaging the whiftletree, for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 16th day of February, 1899.

FRED W. CRAFTS.

lVitnesses:

HERMAN RUTTERS, D. T. DUELL. 

